Major spring snow storm brings blizzard conditions to northern Panhandle
Further south, Banner, Cheyenne, Kimball, Scotts Bluff, Morrill, Garden, Deuel, and east Laramie Counties are in a winter weather advisory until 6 p.m. Wednesday.
By News Channel NebraskaCHADRON - Two feet of snow was reported Tuesday morning in Hot Springs, S.D. as a major winter storm continued across the region.
Chadron, Neb. had 7 1/2 inches of snow by 10 a.m. Monday with an additional two to five inches forecast through the day on Tuesday. Chadron, Harrison, and Gordon are in blizzard warnings until 6 p.m. Tuesday.
Snowfall will taper off Tuesday afternoon and evening, but winds are expected to increase during the day, leading to continuing blowing/drifting snow concerns, which is why the National Weather Service office in Cheyenne also has a winter storm warning in place for northwest Nebraska until 6 p.m. Wednesday.
WeatherEye Weather Center Meteorologist Paul Trambley says travel gets worse the further north you go in the northern Panhandle and eastern Wyoming with fresh snow and gusty winds.
"Even with a couple of inches of some of that fresh snow, with the type of winds we're seeing, will be enough to make some major travel concerns across the area," Trambley said. "The winds are going to be a factor all across the Panhandle. Those winds will be 20-35 mph out of the north-northeast with gusts of 40 mph as we get into later this afternoon and tonight (Tuesday)."
The weather service says travel should be restricted to emergencies only in the northern Nebraska Panhandle, eastern Wyoming, and southwest South Dakota. If you must travel, have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded, stay with your vehicle. If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.
Weather conditions closed Chadron State and Eastern Wyoming Colleges, and area schools in Dawes, Sheridan, and Sioux Counties.
Further south, Banner, Cheyenne, Kimball, Scotts Bluff, Morrill, Garden, Deuel, and east Laramie Counties are in a winter weather advisory until 6 p.m. Wednesday. Three to six inches of snow could fall in Scottsbluff, Harrisburg, Bridgeport, and Oshkosh. Lighter accumulations, possibly up to two inches are expected for Sidney, Kimball, Chappell, Sterling, and Julesburg.
Several schools in the southern Panhandle also adjusted their schedules, or closed all together, because of icy roads.
The Creek Valley High School track invite originally scheduled for April 4, has been rescheduled to April 17, and the Mitchell invite scheduled for April 6 has been rescheduled to April 18.
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STORM CLOSINGS AND CANCELLATIONS
ROAD CONDITIONS
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